Abu Dhabi, Dec. 13th, 2006 (WAM) - General Sheikh Mohammedbin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy SupremeCommander of the UAE Armed Forces attended last night a ceremonyto honour winners of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Awards in itssecond edition.

"For the second year, we are pleased to celebrate the achievementsof generous and compassionate individuals who devoted themselvesto the service of the community and made no fuss about it," SheikhMohammed said.

"We should all be proud of the efforts and achievements madeby those who demonstrated acts of generosity and selflessness,"he added.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to say that such recognition stemsfrom the values and principles upheld by the UAE and the keennessto appreciate the noble deeds.

"The Awards symbolizes Abu Dhabi's recognition of its citizensand residents who have made extraordinary contributions to thedevelopment of the community. We hope to encourage people tocontinue to perform acts of goodwill and volunteer work to makeAbu Dhabi a better place to live in," he noted.

The 10 winners of the Abu are: Ahmed Khalifa Al Suweidi, President'sSpecial Advisor, Sheikh Salem bin Mussalam bin Hamm Al Ameri,Shamsa Hazeem Al Muhairi, an active member of the Abu Dhabi Women'sSociety, Ahmed Awad Al Kareem, a former Abu Dhabi Municipalityofficial, Sanaa Darwish Al Kutbi of the UAE Red Crescent Society,Dr Izzeldin Ibrahim who played a vital role in shaping Abu Dhabi'scultural scene, Waheeda Ibrahim Mohammed Saeed, an educator anda volunteer, Ahlam Yahia Al Shatir, who devoted her time to teachpeople how to utilize their time in something constructive anduseful, Sheikha Siddiga Al Qasimi, one of the first nationalwomen to reach an executive post, and Hamad Hazza Sultan KhalfanAl Darmaky, a deaf-mute citizen who traveled to pursue his post-graduatestudies and active volunteer in the welfare of people with specialneeds.

Also honoured was Reem Al Shemmari for her efforts to makethe event a resounding success.

Ahmed Khalifa Al Suweidi gave a speech on behalf of the awardwinners, in which he thanked President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa binZayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for the honourbestowed on them.

He paid tribute to Salem bin Hamm, who, he said, was a loyalfriend and companion of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,builder of modern UAE.

"He is one of the loyal men who made their country proud ofthem. He still offers noble services to his country and its citizens."Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winners and their families.

A music performed by the visiting Dutch orchestra added colourto the pleasant evening.

The event was attended by Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan,Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Interior Minister,Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of PresidentialAffairs, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu DhabiPlanning and Economy Department, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullahbin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan,Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Sheikh Mohammedbin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Finance Department,Brigadier Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy InspectorGeneral at the Interior Ministry, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahoun AlNahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Sheikhs, ministers,and members of the honoured individuals' families.